Ups and Downs, Overs and Unders

Hands down, this has been one of the most relaxing summers of my life. Deciding not to get a summer job - brilliant.

My friend Rebecca came to town!
(she took this selfie!)

Another picture from Rebecca. With her daughter, Bianca, on a Swan Boat!

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, you sure are lookin' good

Found this place in Wareham, MA and you can
rent a duck or swan paddle boat! Did that!

Lake life, getting 20,000 words down for the book I'm working on, and lots of visits with friends have been some of the highlights so far. Of course, for every up there is a down. Injuring my hamstring on the lake brought a screeching halt to my running and yoga. I've been trying to breathe through it but today was hard. I attempted a half mile run and it hurt and took a long time. I also found out that the other kindergarten teacher has accepted a job at a school closer to home. My co-teacher is looking for jobs closer to home as well. As of right now, my team for next year is yet to be determined. With only 13 days left until school starts that makes me feel a little uneasy. I just have to keep telling myself to breathe through it.

David Sedaris while knitting

However, all is not glum. This week I finished another summer read. David Sedaris's Theft by Finding, Diaries (1977-2002) was perfect. Originally I was going to read the book but my mom convinced me that the audio book, read by Sedaris, was the way to go. Of course she was right. David Sedaris should only be read by David Sedaris. I listened to the book over the course of 4 weeks. The benefit of adding an audio book into my mix is during the times I couldn't read - long road trips, knitting, going for a walk, etc. - I could load up this book and listen. I highly, highly recommend this book!

It had all the typical Sedaris antics and worldly observations. However, getting a sneak peak into what he was writing in between writing all those books, that was delicious. I wanted to shove this book into the hands of every Millennial I know... and even the ones I don't know.

David Sedaris on a road trip

I was recently discussing Millennials with a Millennial whom I love dearly. She was telling me about Millennial poverty, the articles that have come out about it, and how it is a serious thing. When I asked for more information she told me that Millennials are currently graduating college with no job prospects. They are expected to pay rent on very little income. And all of this causes stress. I had to contain a giggle and then said, "Honey, that's what it is like for everyone when they graduate college."  Now, there are, always have been and always will be, graduates who are blessed with a financial situation that allows them more freedom than others. Did some of my friends graduate and get a great job right away? Yep. Do some of her friends? Yep. But is that what usually happens? Nope.

When Sedaris talks about all the odd jobs he held, the nights spent at IHOP drinking cheap coffee, how he was a published author and STILL taking jobs as a mover in NYC, I thought, yep. It is a tale as old as time, just like Beauty and the Beast. Man, I thought, if I could give this book to Millennials maybe they would get some perspective! But then again, maybe not.

Anyway, YOU, whoever you are, should read this book. I think you'll like it.

My sad news with my summer reading is that the last two books I have to read are STILL on hold at the library. I put those suckers on my list in June and it ain't my turn yet. The worst part of this is I head out tomorrow morning FOR ALASKA!!!!!!! The BF and I will be there for 9 days and even though it will be 60 and raining every day I am so excited. So, I gotta go find a book to bring with me. Or two.

Have a great weekend and I'll let you know about the latest adventure when I get back. In the meantime, remember when my aunt sent me books from Alaska? So ready for this.